How to Choose a Non-Medical Home Care Provider in Georgia

Choosing a non-medical home care provider for a parent, spouse, or family member is one of the most consequential decisions a family can make. The caregiver who enters your loved one’s home will handle the most intimate parts of their day — bathing, dressing, meals, and mobility. Getting this decision right matters enormously.

In Georgia, non-medical home care is regulated by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Healthcare Facility Regulation Division. Providers must be licensed as a Private Home Care Provider (PHCP). That license is the starting point — but it is not the whole story.

Step 1: Confirm the license is active

Before calling any home care provider in Georgia, verify their PHCP license through the Georgia DCH Healthcare Facility Regulation directory. A license that has lapsed, been placed on probation, or been suspended is a serious red flag. Any legitimate provider should be able to tell you their license number immediately and without hesitation.

Do not rely solely on a website badge or a verbal claim. Verify the actual status yourself.

Step 2: Ask about caregiver screening

Georgia PHCP rules require that caregivers clear a GCHEXS (Georgia Criminal History and Sex Offender Registry) background check before working with clients. Ask specifically:

• Do your caregivers clear GCHEXS before their first client visit?
• Do you conduct TB screening at hire and annually?
• Do caregivers complete the required 40 hours of personal care aide training?
• Do you verify competency for specialized tasks (incontinence care, dementia, transfers)?

A provider who cannot answer these questions specifically — or who gives vague answers like "we follow all Georgia regulations" — warrants more scrutiny.

Step 3: Understand the employment model

Georgia home care agencies fall into two broad models:

• W-2 employees: The agency employs caregivers directly, pays payroll taxes, and covers workers’ compensation. If a caregiver is hurt in your home, the agency’s workers’ comp covers it.
• 1099 contractors or registries: The agency connects you with independent caregivers. You may bear more liability, and oversight of caregiver behavior is less direct.

W-2 employment is not inherently superior in every case, but it typically means the agency has more direct accountability for caregiver conduct, training, and scheduling. Ask explicitly: "Are your caregivers W-2 employees or 1099 contractors?"

Step 4: Ask about continuity of care

One of the most common complaints families have about home care is inconsistency — different caregivers showing up each week, or last-minute cancellations with no backup. Ask:

• Will my loved one have a consistent primary caregiver?
• Is there a designated backup caregiver?
• What happens if the primary caregiver calls out sick?
• How quickly do you typically fill a last-minute gap?

Step 5: Understand exactly what services are — and are not — included

Non-medical home care has a hard boundary: caregivers cannot provide skilled nursing care. This means no medication administration, no wound care, no injections, no assessments that require a nursing license. A good provider will tell you this clearly and without defensiveness.

Ask the provider to walk through exactly what each service includes. "Personal care" at one agency may mean a very different scope than at another. Make sure what they describe matches what your loved one actually needs.

Step 6: Evaluate the intake process

A legitimate home care provider will want to do an in-home assessment before starting care — not just sell you a package over the phone. The assessment should include:

• A visit to the client’s home
• A conversation about daily routines, preferences, and concerns
• A discussion of the home environment and any safety considerations
• A clear care plan before the first caregiver shift

If a provider skips the assessment and just asks for a credit card, that is a red flag.

Red flags to watch for

• Cannot provide a PHCP license number on request
• Vague or evasive answers about background check procedures
• No in-home assessment before starting care
• Promises that caregivers can do "anything the family needs"
• Pressures you to sign a contract before the assessment is complete
• Multiple negative reviews specifically mentioning caregiver no-shows or inconsistency
• Prices significantly below market without a clear explanation

Questions to ask every provider you call

1. What is your Georgia PHCP license number and what is its current status?
2. Do your caregivers clear GCHEXS background checks before their first shift?
3. Are caregivers W-2 employees or 1099 contractors?
4. How many hours of training do caregivers complete before working solo?
5. Will my loved one have a consistent primary caregiver and a designated backup?
6. What does the in-home assessment involve and is there a cost?
7. What services are specifically NOT included?
8. What is the process if the scheduled caregiver cannot make a visit?